Just read it on espn. Just a weird trade for both teams if you ask me. Sonics' Baker reportedly could be Boston-bound -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services SEATTLE -- The Seattle SuperSonics are close to completing a trade that would send forward Vin Baker to the Boston Celtics for guard Kenny Anderson and center Vitaly Potapenko, according to a report in Friday's editions of The Seattle Times. The teams have been talking for more than a week, with talks heating up in the past two days, according to the report. Sources close to the deal reportedly believe the two sides could reach an agreement as early as this weekend. The Boston Herald and Boston Globe both also reported the deal is in the works, with the Herald reporting that Seattle is Seattle is interested in Eric Williams instead of Potapenko. Additional players, including Boston's Joseph Forte and Seattle's Shammond Williams, might be included, but the deal would work financially without them. Seattle has been looking for a taker for power forward Baker since shortly after signing him to an $86 million, seven-year contract in 1999. During the 2000-01 season, Baker averaged career lows in scoring (12.2 points) and rebounding (5.7), making him a target for fan criticism. "I've heard the rumor, and we'll try to investigate as much as we're able, but there's only so much we can do," Baker's agent, Eric Goodwin, told the Times. "It's an interesting move. It would definitely be a positive move for Vin and give him a fresh start on a team that's going in the right direction. We'll just have to watch and see if it actually gets done." Baker missed 17 games last season because of a three dislocated toes, and then struggled during the season's final 15 games. The Sonics posted a 19-8 record without Baker during the regular season. The Celtics would bank that a return to the Eastern Conference would perk up Baker's sagging game and spirits. Boston is also much closer to Baker's family home in Connecticut. He would give the Celtics some much-needed size in the post. Anderson, who turns 32 in October, would probably back up Sonics point guard Gary Payton, making second-year pro free agent Earl Watson expendable. The 27-year-old Potapenko, a 6-10, 285-pounder, would have difficulty finding playing time with the Sonics, who re-signed Jerome James on Thursday, giving them three centers already in James, Calvin Booth and Predrag Drobnjak. http://msn.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0719/1407509.html Guess Boston really hates Kenny Anderson
I actually like this trade, especially for the Celtics. Say what you want about Baker, but he is a solid big man, albeit overpaid and underachieving. Now the Celts have 3 legit, complimentary offensive players, Pierce from the perimeter, Baker in the low post, and Walker with the inside-outside game. And if they can come away with Shammond Williams or even Earl Watson as well, nice! Celtics lineup: C\PF - Battie PF\C - Baker SF - Walker SG - Pierce PG - Williams As for the Sonics, Baker's contract is no longer a worry, and as the article points out it frees up money for Lewis (bad news for the Rockets). They could be serious players for next year's FA class, being that they've quietly assembled a nice collection of talented, athletic players.
If they don't come away with a pg than it's terrible for the Celtics. They allready have enough scorers in Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker but Anderson really played well last season and gave them consistency at the pg position. I don't see any reason for the Sonics to want him since they allready have Payton and they are both not getting any younger.
I love this trade for the Celtics. IMO, it makes them the favorite in the East. As bad as people make Vin out to be, he is still a legit low post threat that in the Western Conference could give you 14 and 7 every night. Those numbers will significantly rise in the East, and his motivation might too under a new situation. The salary cap issue is overblown, because the Celtics are over the cap anyway. It's not like Baker will hurt them in signing free agents. Anderson wasn't an important part of that team... he was basically a big contract that was their best option at point guard. They can easily sign someone with similar efficiency.
The Celts have enough scoring, but they lack INSIDE scoring. Walker and Rogers (if he's re-signed) are face up PFs, rather than back to the back guys. Baker likes to shoot jumpers, but he still is a better post-up player than Rogers or Walker. This will help give the Celts offensive balance. They were too much of a perimeter-oriented team. As for losing Anderson, PG is probably the least important position in the NBA, especially on the Celts, with Walker being a point forward as is, and Pierce having the ball in his hands a lot. In the NBA, there aren't too many teams who run plays through the PG, which means PGs aren't really asked to do much. A PG is really only needed to bring the ball upcourt against pressure defenses, but who the hell ever presses in the NBA anymore?
Exactly. Getting a guy like Kenny Anderson off of FA, is a lot easier than finding a decent PF/C type like Vin Baker. The Celts could go after Travis Best, who isn't great, but is better than Anderson. If they can sign a suitable replacement for Anderson, Bos is probably up there as the East favorite.
I wonder, would Baker play center for the Celts, or would he back up Walker at the four? Vin's not a true center, but he could do it in the East. A frontcourt of Baker, Walker, and Pierce is intimidating.
Tony Battie - he's not bad. But I can see Baker playing extended minutes at the 5. Also, Anderson really isn't necesarry, with the Celtics reliance on an ISO-style offense, having a playmaker at the point isn't really needed. Is Tony Delk still under contract? He could see some playing time at the point, since Boston doesn't need anything other than a guy who can score at that position, in my opinion.
Now you can throw Forte and Williams BACK into the equation and it looks like the deal will be done by the end of today. I agree with Cat, this is a great deal for Boston. Vin Baker will be re-energized, especially playing close to home, and Baker is an Eastern Conference player. And dumping Kenny Anderson is the best thing Boston has done. Good deal.
